Improvement im napkin-supporters



S. HOUGHTON.. NAEKIN-SUPPORTERS No. 194,040. Patented Aug. 14,1377.

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H, PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGIMPNEI? WASH/INGTON. C.

UNITE S'rerns PTEN OFFICE,

STILLMAN HOUGHTON, or WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN NAPKlN-SUPPORTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,040, dated August 14, 1877 application filed A July 2, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STILLMAN HOUGHTON, of the city and county of Worcester, of the State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Napkin Holder and Suspender; and do hereby declare the same to be described in the following specification and represented in the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure 1 is an edge elevation, Fig. 2 a perspective view, and Fig. 3 a rear elevation, of my invention. i

The article as shown, is not only to answer theusualpurposeofanapkin-ringviz.,tohold a napkin in a folded state or rolled together by encompassing it-but is also to support a napkin when arranged to cover the clothing over the breast and lap of an individual.

In the drawings, A represents an elastic hook or broad spring, terminating at its free end in, or there provided with, an auxiliary hook, a, arranged as shown. At its other extremity the hook A'is connected by a hinge or link, b, with a suitable clasp or buckle or device, B, for effecting the ready attachment of a napkin to and its detachment from the hook. That shown in the drawings is substantially such as is described in the United States Patent No. 145,074, and consists not only of a curved plate, 0, provided at one end with a curved lip, d, but of a tongue e, hinged to a link, 0, which, in turn, is' hingetl to the curved plate. r

By means of the buckle or clasp a napkin may be readily connected with the hook A, and be suspendedby such in front of a person lar or cravat.

when such hook is hooked upon his shirt-col- By hooking the curved lip (1 upon the auxiliary hook or lip on the article can be used for holding a napkin in the manner in.which a ring is commonly employed for such.

Without the auxiliary hook at the main hook and the clasp connected by a link or hinge are preferable as a napkin-supporter to a rigid hook having a spring fixed to and extended through it, forwith the link or hinge connection the article is not liable to become forced upward and detached from the cravat or shirtcollar while a person. may be bending forward over a plate in order to receive into his mouth food therefrom.

I do not claim the special clasp or buckle hereinbefore mentioned as patented.

What 1 claim as my inventionis- 1. The improved napkin-suspender, consisting of the hook A, a clasp or buckle, B, and their connecting hinge or link 1), arranged and applied as set forth.

2. The combined napkin suspender and holder, consisting of the main hook A and its lip or auxiliary hook to, and the clasp or buckle B, hinged to such main hook, and provided with the curved lip d, for engaging with the lip or hook at, all being substantially as set forth.

STILLMAN HOUGHTON.

Witnesses R. H. EDDY, JOHN R. SNow. 

